The CEO's Secret Obsession-Chapter 120: Uncertainity

Lucas met his eyes and just for a split second, the humor drained from his expression.

"Hey," Lucas said lightly. "How is our favorite reckless driver?"

Alexander studied him carefully. "You don’t look like someone who came to make jokes."

Evelyn glanced between them, sensing it too. "I will get you coffee," she said quickly, already standing. "Hospital coffee is terrible but it exists."

Lucas smiled at her. "You are a lifesaver."

She squeezed Alexander’s shoulder gently before leaving.

The moment the door closed, the air changed.

Alexander’s smile faded. "What did you find?"

Lucas didn’t answer immediately. He moved closer, lowering his voice instinctively even though they were alone.

"Not here," he said.

Alexander’s jaw tightened. "Lucas."

Lucas exhaled slowly. "I promised myself I wouldn’t tell you while she was in the room."

"That bad?" Alexander asked quietly.

Lucas held his gaze. "Bad enough that I don’t want her hearing it by accident."

Alexander leaned back against the pillow, eyes darkening. "So it wasn’t an accident."

Lucas didn’t confirm it but he also didn’t deny it either.

"What I can say," Lucas continued carefully, "is that things don’t add up the way they should. And when things don’t add up, it’s usually because someone made sure they wouldn’t."

Alexander stared at the ceiling for a long moment.

Then he said, very calmly, "Is my family involved?"

Lucas hesitated and that hesitation was answer enough.

Before he could respond, the door opened again.

Evelyn walked back in, balancing two cups. "I bribed a nurse," she announced proudly. "Don’t ask how."

Lucas instantly relaxed his posture, the edge smoothing from his face like it had never been there.

Alexander caught it, he always did.

She handed Lucas a cup then sat back down beside Alexander, close enough that their shoulders touched.

"You okay?" she asked him softly.

He turned his head toward her, expression gentler now. "Yeah. Just tired."

Lucas watched them for a second then he cleared his throat. "I will head out. You need rest, not conspiracy theories."

Evelyn frowned slightly. "You sure?"

Lucas nodded. "I will be back later."

As he reached the door, Alexander spoke again. "Lucas."

Lucas paused, looking back.

"Don’t keep me in the dark."

Lucas met his eyes steadily. "I won’t. Just let me be sure before I say anything that can’t be taken back."

He then left.

Evelyn leaned closer, brushing her thumb lightly over Alexander’s hand. "You are thinking too hard again."

"Maybe," he said quietly.

But his gaze drifted to the door Lucas had just exited through and the unease settled deep.

Whatever Lucas had seen or suspected, it wasn’t something that would disappear.

And Alexander knew one thing with absolute certainty that this wasn’t over.

....

[Reid Mansion — Dinner]

Dinner was unusually quiet.

Jack hadn’t eaten at the Reid mansion in weeks, not since the Heinberg, not since everything began spiraling out of his control.

Sitting at the long dining table again felt wrong. It felt like stepping back into a house that no longer belonged to him.

Benjamin sat at the head of the table, posture relaxed and his movements unhurried. He cut his food with precise strokes, as if this were any other evening.

That calm unsettled Jack more than shouting ever could.

Olivia tried to fill the silence.

"So the doctors said Alexander is recovering well," she said lightly, forcing a smile. "It was a miracle, really."

Benjamin hummed in acknowledgment but didn’t look up. "Miracles are rare," he said evenly. "Preparation is far more reliable."

Jack’s fingers tightened around his fork.

Benjamin took a sip of water, then added casually, "Accidents, however, are even rarer than people think."

Jack froze for half a second before forcing himself to continue eating.

Olivia laughed softly, a little too quickly. "Oh, Benjamin, must everything be business talk at the table?"

Benjamin finally looked up. His gaze slid past Olivia and landed on Jack.

"Of course not," he replied pleasantly. "I am simply making conversation."

Jack swallowed.

Benjamin tilted his head slightly. "You have been coming to the office regularly," he continued. "That’s good."

Jack straightened a little. "I am trying to take things seriously now."

"Trying," Benjamin repeated thoughtfully. "That word always amuses me."

Jack felt sweat gather at the back of his neck.

Benjamin cut another piece of food, unbothered. "When someone decides to change," he said calmly, "it usually means they have realized something."

"Like what?" Olivia asked carefully.

Benjamin smiled faintly. "That consequences are unavoidable."

Jack’s heartbeat thundered in his ears.

Benjamin glanced at him again, expression unreadable. "You know, Jack, loyalty isn’t proven by grand gestures."

Jack nodded quickly. "I know."

"It’s proven by restraint," Benjamin continued. "By knowing when not to act."

Olivia reached for her wine glass, her hand unsteady.

"Some people," Benjamin went on, still calm, "believe they can create chaos and walk away untouched. That someone else will clean it up."

Jack’s jaw clenched.

"That’s a dangerous misunderstanding," Benjamin said softly. "Because chaos has a way of circling back."

The silence stretched.

Jack felt like the walls were closing in.

Olivia cleared her throat. "Benjamin, maybe this isn’t the time—"

Benjamin lifted a hand, stopping her without looking.

"I am not scolding anyone," he said mildly. "I am simply stating facts."

He finally set his cutlery down and folded his hands on the table.

"And facts," he added, eyes briefly meeting Jack’s, "don’t care about intentions."

Jack couldn’t tell anymore.

Did his father know? Was this a warning? Or was he being slowly measured and judged?

Benjamin stood. "I am done," he said calmly. "Good night."

He walked away without another word.

The moment he was gone, Jack exhaled shakily, his hands trembling under the table.

Olivia leaned toward him instantly, her voice low and urgent.

"Do not react," she whispered. "Do you hear me? Stay quiet and stay invisible."

Jack nodded, fear tightening his chest.

Because uncertainty was worse than punishment and Benjamin Reid had just made one thing very clear that the hunt had begun.

.....